PAST EVENTS

Hosted at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, this workshop invited children ages 3 and up to explore sustainable cultural practices from India. The session focused on Manjappai — meaning “yellow bag” in Tamil — a traditional eco-friendly practice from Tamil Nadu that promotes mindful, reusable living.

In this hands-on workshop, participants explored the art of wearing traditional Indian unstitched textiles, learning to drape sarees and dhotis in multiple styles, guided step-by-step by Aksarā educators with sample and personal fabrics.

In this hands-on workshop, families explored the significance of symbols in Indian culture and created their own Lord Ganesha idols using terracotta. The session encouraged creativity, cultural learning, and a deeper appreciation for traditional Indian art forms.

In collaboration with NEXT.cc and Dattner Architects, Aksarā organized a two-hour cultural walk along Hudson River Park, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March, reflecting on India’s independence movement through dialogue, reflection, and collective walking as an act of remembrance.

Diwali studio for toddlers and families included collective art-making, discussion and other meaningful creative arts related to the festival.

In collaboration with Asia Society Museum, NYC, Aksarā hosted a vibrant family event featuring performances, creative workshops, traditional games, and culinary experiences celebrating Tamil culture — from Kolam art and Manjappai crafts to storytelling and author’s book signing.

Aksarā hosted an online discussion and musical session exploring the poetry and devotional music of 15th-century Andhra Pradesh saint Annamacharya. Panelists Shalini Lakshmi and Anjana Sursala, moderated by Jayanthi Moorthy, highlighted his enduring artistic and spiritual legacy.

We celebrated the onset of spring and warm weather by being out in the park flying our colorful kites and thus throwing colors up in the sky. We also had creative activities to keep the whole family engaged including a live dhol musician and an interactive comedian.

Akṣarā engaged the Tibetan and Himalayan community of kids and adults in Queens with meaningful creative arts and education that intersect Indian and Tibetan culture.